MSIR Comprehensive Exams
General Questions
Exam Format
Grading of Exams
More Information About How to Prepare
GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. Who must take the comprehensive exam?
MSIR students have a choice: Either they can write a thesis OR they can take the comprehensive exam.
2. Why don't students students selecting the Thesis Option have to take the comprehensive exam?
Instead of taking the comprehensive exam, these students use their last two courses to research and to write a graduate level thesis. This process takes approximately one more year than those selecting the Comprehensive Exam option.
3. Can I change my option and take the Thesis Option instead of the Comprehensive Exam?
You can change your option up until you take the Comprehensive Exam for the first time. If you take the the Comprehensive Exam and fail it, you no longer can switch to the Thesis Option. You must successfully complete the Comprehensive Exam.
4. How soon during my academic studies can I take the comprehensive exam?
The earliest you can take the comprehensive exam is during the term in which you are enrolled in your 11th course. However, you must successfully complete the comprehensive exam no later than eight (8) years from the time of your first enrollment in the MSIR program, in addition to meeting all other degree requirements.
5. How many times a year is the comprehensive exam scheduled?
The MSIR comprehensive exam can be administered each term of the academic year, even if just one student registers for the exam.
6. How do I register to take the comprehensive exam?
At your request, your local TROY Site Coordinator will sign you up for the comprehensive exam. This must be done at least 30 days in advance of the next scheduled exam. Anyone registering within the 30 day window will be charged a late registration fee of $25.00 in additon to the normal $50.00 registration fee.
7. Are there actual deadlines for registering during the term?
Yes. There is a set date by which you must complete your paperwork for registration. Check with your Site Coordinator for the exact cut off date for each term.
8. If I need to reschedule/cancel my comprehensive exam date what should I do?
Contact the TROY Site Coordinator you initially registered with as soon as possible, but no later than one (1) week before the exam date. At some program sites, there is a waiting list to take the comprehensive exams due to limited seating capacity at the actual exam site. Your timely cancellation allows your slot to be filled by a fellow MSIR student.
9. If I need to retake the comprehensive exam, how soon can I register again?
You can register for the next scheduled comprehensive exam immediately. For example, If you take the comprehensive exam Term I, but fail, you can take the exam again during Term II. However, this would require you to register for it during Term I due to the deadline mentioned above.
10. Where is the MSIR comprehensive exam given?
It can be given at each MSIR program site in the Pacific Region. Prior to the actual date of the comprehensive exam, your Site Coordinator will send you written confirmation of your registration along with the exact time and place of the exam. If you do not receive such a confirmation at least one week before the exam, contact your Site Coordinator.
11. Where do I take the MSIR comprehensive exam if I PCS or leave the military?
If you are no longer at a MSIR program site when you want to take the comprehensive exam, contact your Troy University representative for alternate arrangements. Your local Site Coordinator can assist you with this before you leave.
EXAM FORMAT
12. What is the format of the comprehensive? Does it vary depending on the concentration I select?
Regardless of your concentration within the MSIR program, the basic format is the same. You have six (6) hours to answer four (4) questions. The only difference among the concentrations is the focus of the questions.
13. How is the six (6) hours allocated?
You have a three (3) hour morning session during which you answer questions on two of the four sections. After a one (1) hour lunch break, you return for a three (3) hour afternoon session and answer questions on the other two sections of the exam.
14. Do I have a choice of questions on the comprehensive exam?
Yes. Each of the four (4) sections will include two questions. Select the one question per section that you feel you can answer best. Thus, the exam will include a total of eight (8) questions, two per section. You are to select one question per section, for a total of four (4), to answer.
15. Are the questions general or specific in nature?
The questions will be general in nature. For example, you might be asked if the Balance of Power is still relevant in the post-Cold War era. You would not be asked to discuss the League of Nation's handling of the Manchurian Incident of 1931. Copies of sample questions and/or copies of previous comprehensive exams are available from the Site Coordinator.
16. Do MSIR students in all the concentrations take the same comprehensive exam?
No. Each concentration has a separate exam, although all use the same format (see questions 12 and 13). Each concentration is different because the required courses and electives are different for each concentration. The two most popular MSIR concentrations for the Pacific Region are the Global Studies Concentration and the Asian Emphasis in the Regional Concentration. Check your copy of the Graduate Bulletin for specific required and elective courses for each concentration. In general terms, the two concentrations mentioned are structured as follows: Global Studies Concentration: Section I: Core Courses (IR 5551, 6601, 6620, 6652); Sections II, III, IV: Relevant Elective Courses. Regional Concentration with an Asian Emphasis: Section I: Core Courses (IR 5551, 6601, 6620, 6652); Section II: Required Courses (IR 5533, 6610, 6631) and Relevant Electives; Section III: Relevant Electives; Section IV: Relevant Electives and Free Electives.
17. Can I leave the testing room during the comprehensive exam?
Yes, you can take one or more breaks during the exam session. But only one student can leave the room at a time. The Troy University proctor will keep your exam paper until you return.
18. Do I need to provide my own test paper to write on?
No. Troy University will supply you with paper on which to write your answer. However, you must bring a pen. Do not use a pencil to answer the comprehensive exam questions. Use of your Personal Computer to write your answers is not allowed. However, check with your TROY Site Coordinator to see if the local site can provide you with a Troy University computer to use to write your answers This is not an option at all Troy University sites.
GRADING OF EXAMS
19. How are the comprehensive exams graded?
Each of the four sections is graded either "Pass" or "Fail." You must pass all four sections to receive a "Pass" for the entire exam. Each of the four sections is graded by two Troy University MSIR faculty members--usually from the MSIR faculty of your local Troy University Region. If the two graders disagree, that section goes to a third Troy University professor in the MSIR program to be graded and the tie broken.
20. What criteria are used by the graders to decide if I passed or failed?
Each of your answers is graded according to the following criteria:
- 40% for Knowledge of the Subject Matter, including Bibliography
- 40% for Appropriate Analytical Skills, Comprehension and Insight
- 20% for Adequate Skills of Expression, including grammar and rhetoric.
21. What do you mean by "Bibliography"?
When you compose your answer, cite sources, which support your analytical position. After ten (10) courses, you have been introduced to numerous authors, theorists, important documents and interpretative analyses. Examples are course texts, lecture notes, sources you used in course papers, reserve readings and individual outside readings. For example, cite the name of the author and/or the title of a textbook, other book or journal article. Cite a course lecture or a specific document such as the U.N. Charter. The grader wants to see these sources included in the body of your answer. Don't put them at the end of your answer.
22. What is the pass rate for the MSIR comprehensive exam?
On average, about 75%-80% pass the first time that they take the exam. Those who fail usually miss only one or two of the four sections. In that case you only have to retake the missed one or two sections. However, if you miss three or four sections, you must retake the entire comprehensive exam.
23. How long will it take for me to get my grade on the MSIR comprehensive exam?
If only two graders are needed, then you should know the results within 40 days of taking the exam. If a third grader is necessary, it could be another 10 days until you know. Your TROY Site Coordinator will contact you with the exam results.
24. How many times can I retake the MSIR comprehensive exam if I continue to fail?
You can retake the MSIR comprehensive as many times as you want as long as you properly register, but you must successfully complete the comprehensive exam within 8 years of starting your first MSIR course.
25. How will I know why I failed?
Graders submit a short written critique for each unsatisfactory answer. You can request this critique through your local Site Coordinator.
26. Are there any study materials for the MSIR comprehensive exam?
Yes. First, keep your lecture notes and texts to study. Also, The Site Coordinator has a file of previous MSIR Comprehensives and sample questions, which you can see to familiarize yourself with the exam's format and the focus of the questions.
27. Can I contact a MSIR faculty member before I take the comprehensive exam if I have questions on the test material?
Yes. If you don't know the professor's address, contact your local Site Coordinator.
28. What happens to my comprehensive exam answers once it is graded?
Your exam is kept on file by Troy University in Troy, Alabama.
29. Do you have any further tips for taking the MSIR comprehensive exam?
Yes. Here are some important reminders:
- If possible form a study group with other MSIR students who will be taking the comprehensive exam when you take it or soon after.
- Remember to include bibliographical citations. This cannot be over emphasized.
- Read the question carefully. Often students misread the question and go off on a tangent, which only partially answers the question or is completely off target.
- It is a good investment of your time to make a brief outline of your proposed answer to ensure that you are covering all of the question's aspects, it includes narrative as well as analysis and you have sufficient bibliographical citations to support your arguments. Taking 10-15 minutes out of your allotted 90 minutes to answer each question isn't a waste of valuable time. It is an investment in a quality answer.
- Don't be afraid to go into detail in your answer. Consider it fine-tuning or honing your answer.
- It is important to read current events as well as to study your course materials. This way you can cite supporting arguments from the past as well as from the present. But providing a chain of facts without analysis will not be satisfactory. You must integrate these facts within a comprehensive argument in order to successfully answer the question.
- Be sure to determine the analytical goal of the question. Does the question seek an explanation of the causes and effects of something? A discussion of the pros and cons of something? An explanation of the past and future evolution of something? A comparison or contrast of two or more things? Or elements of two or more of these approaches?
- International Relations is multi-faceted so be sure to consider not only the domestic political, military security and the international and regional diplomatic aspects, but also the relevant historical, economic, cultural and social aspects as well.
- Include relevant International Relations terminology and theories in your answers. For example, instead of describing two states as rivals, explain their relationship in terms of balance of power theory.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO PREPARE
Please contact Dr. Andrew Bosworth, Assistant Professor of International Relations, Regional Department Chair, Academic Advisor
